By Teddy Rydquist

Leader Sports Writer

In their final game of the 2019 season, the Oxford Wildcats varsity football team traveled to Oak Park to battle the Knights on Oct. 25.

Falling behind 15-0 in the first quarter, Oxford had a difficult time in the brisk conditions and ended up losing 35-7.

Scoring twice and accumulating 28 yards on his three carries, junior Davion Primm tallied both of Oak Park’s touchdowns in the opening frame. One of the state’s top-40 running backs in the 2021 cycle according to 247Sports, Primm holds reported scholarship offers from the Akron Zips, Central Michigan Chippewas, Colorado Buffaloes and Iowa State Cyclones.

Widening the gap to 21-0 in the second quarter, senior quarterback Frank Black ran one in from nine-yards out. Playing safety for the Knights a year ago with current Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Dwan Mathis at the controls, Black finished with 106 total yards.

Down 35-0, the Wildcats finally appeared on the scoreboard when senior Drew Carpenter found junior Trent Brown for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 5:01 left in the game.

Drawing the start with younger brother and normal starter Brady Carpenter sidelined, Drew Carpenter completed 7-13 passes for 64 yards.

Also playing in his final game for Oxford, Matt Pullman registered 22 yards on eight touches.

Finishing their season 1-8 overall, the Wildcats came in sixth-place in the Oakland Activities Association Red Division at 1-5 in league play.

“We went 1-8, we have to get back to the blue turf and go back to the drawing board,” head coach Bud Rowley said.

“It’s disappointing to send our seniors out this way, but football is only a small part of the picture. These young men will be better husbands, better fathers in the future for having been part of our program.”

As with any season, there will be a level of turnover as the Wildcats are set to graduate 16 student-athletes this year.

Looking ahead, there are reasons for optimism regarding the 2020 season. Having a year of starting experience in the OAA’s toughest division under his belt, look for Brady Carpenter to take his game to another level as a junior.

In addition to Carpenter, running back/linebacker Melvin Eckles and defensive back Jack Thompson headline Oxford’s list of returnees.